Help enby Activist Injured at Counter-Protest

Against Hate

On Wednesday, September 20, trans, queer, and allied counter-protestors stood up against anti-trans hate demonstrations that took place across the country. These counter-protestors risked their safety to oppose organized alt-right extremists who are openly defying the Canadian constitution and proliferating hate. While pro-trans counter-protestors largely outnumbered and drowned out anti-trans bigots across the country, the situation in Surrey, British Columbia was dire.

Early in the day, alt-right demonstrators outnumbered counter-protestors 20 to 1, attacking trans, queer, and allied people with projectiles including rocks and bottles. While the day ended with counter-protestors peacefully maintaining a protection zone around an MLA and teacher’s association office, the impact of violence against the crowd was significant.

Non-binary activist and Surrey resident Erin Miller Schumann had been holding the front line for over two hours when they went to leave so they could pick up their three children from school and return to the counter-protest. While walking away, they were hit hard in the back of the head with a rock thrown by an alt-right demonstrator. Erin, who had a large bump on the back of their head, was examined by an officer who then called an ambulance.

Erin was transported to Surrey Memorial by ambulance with intense nausea, double vision, headache, and light sensitivity. After being examined in the ER, doctors informed them that they had a traumatic brain injury/concussion from the rock.

Erin, who works primarily with neurodivergent queer and trans youth as an art therapist, has been off work since the incident and will not be able to return until November at the earliest for a gradual entry. As a self-employed therapist, they do not currently have access to medical EI or benefits and are completely without income during this time.

Funds

Erin has been off work for several weeks and is behind in bills with no way to work for several more weeks as they take time off to heal physically and emotionally from the assault. Erin has three school aged children, and needs our help to keep their family afloat while they recover. We are aiming to raise at least $7000 to cover their needs.

Any funds raised in excess of $8000 will be donated to Youth 4 A Change, an organization which engages in activism and advocacy to community education and safe space facilitation in Surrey, British Columbia.

Erin’s current needs are:

- Rent: $2300

- Groceries: $1200

- Bills: $1500

- Therapy*: $1500

- Misc**.: $500

*Therapy includes counseling with Erin’s counselor to process the traumatic events of the day, LENS neurofeedback support to assist in their recovery, and massage and any other treatments recommended by their doctor.

**Miscellaneous funds will be used for convenience items like take out, and help with the house, as Erin is not currently able to complete their usual household duties.

Erin’s Story

As a queer and non-binary Surrey resident who works supporting queer, trans, and neurodivergent youth through art therapy, Erin is an open defender of the communities they belong to. Learning about the anti-trans protests through tiktok, Erin couldn’t find any information on counter-protests in Surrey but knew that Vancouver would be well attended and didn’t need their presence.

On September 20, Erin wrapped up a session with a queer client and went to find the Surrey counter-protest, finding it by following the crowd at 88th and King George. “I was overwhelmed and shocked by what I saw,” says Erin. “Parents encouraging kids to scream hateful messages, signs that said ‘Fuck The Gays’, elderly Aunties being screamed at and threatened, objects being thrown.” Erin was also dismayed by the lack of response from the police who watched projectiles being thrown at the crowd without intervening.

As more anti-trans protestors joined throughout the afternoon, Erin realized they needed to grab their child from school. “I turned to walk towards the building and was hit in the back right section of my head with a rock.”

Already disabled, Erin manages several chronic conditions including Hashimotos, fibro, CNS Pain Specialization, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Receiving a traumatic brain injury has greatly impacted Erin’s ability to care for themselves and their family. “This is by far one of the most traumatic things I’ve had to navigate my way through,” shares Erin. “My partner and I are quite anxious about finances, and having already missed two weeks of clients we are rather stretched.” The loss of Erin’s income has greatly impacted the family and they are worried about what comes next.

A regular participant in anti-oppression workshops and avid volunteer, Erin supports youth and kids programming in Cloverdale and helps provide free access to the arts. A strident supporter of trans and queer rights, Erin needs support right now to help them recover physically and emotionally so they can go back to serving their communities and heal from the trauma enacted on them.

Another anti-trans hate rally is planned for Saturday, October 21. We must show our community that we will take care of those who risk their bodies and livelihood, championing human rights, and continue to show up in vast numbers showing the fascists that there is no room for hate in our homes, schools, and communities.

Help Erin’s family by donating and sharing this fundraiser, and come out on October 21 to make a stand against bigotry.